Cyclist taken to hospital with back injuries after collision with taxi in Middlesbrough town centre

Live: Breaking news, traffic and travel across Teesside

The crossroads at Borough Road and Linthorpe Road are closed due to an accident involving a taxi and cyclist.

The collision happened at about 8.40am outside The Crown pub on Borough Road.

The cyclist, believed to be a man in his 20s has been taken to hospital with possible back injuries.

Scene of a collision between a taxi and cyclist on junction of Borough Road and Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough

Police are urging drivers to avoid the area which is currently closed.

A spokeswoman said: “There will be no access to Linthorpe Road from Borough Road and vice versa whilst investigations into the collision take place.

“We thank you for your patience in advance.”

#OnThisBoroDay 2008: Boro book a spot in last eight of FA Cup with extra-time win over Sheff Utd

Just 90 minutes away! The headline on the front of the Evening Gazette summed up the excitement.

Boro were closing in on a trip to Wembley.

After a true test of grit more than anything else against Sheffield United on this day in 2008 in an FA Cup fifth round replay at the Riverside Stadium, fans were starting to believe.

Why shouldn’t they?

Yes, Manchester United and Chelsea were still in the competition and had been handed what looked like winnable ties but all Boro had to do was sweep aside Cardiff in the last eight to book a semi-final trip to Wembley.

A home tie against lower league opposition to win a spot in the last four of the FA Cup.

It almost seemed too good to be true.

But for long periods against Sheffield United, it appeared the Blades were going to hold out and take dominant Boro to a penalty shoot-out.

Middlesbrough's Mido celebrates Sheffield United's goalkeeper Patrick Kenny's own goal during the FA Cup 5th Round Replay match at the Riverside Stadium

The hosts were on top throughout.

The only surprise was the fact it took 114 minutes for the deadlock to be broken - the hapless Paddy Kenny inadvertently slapping the ball over his own line after Mido’s strike bounced back off the woodwork.

It was the very least Boro deserved.

Afonso Alves, making his first start for Boro, partnered Mido up top and the duo caused the visitors no end of problems.

Downing was a constant menace down the left while Rochemback and Arca carved out chance after chance.

But none of that would have mattered if Sheffield United had held on for a lottery from the spot.

“The longer it went on, the prize that was at stake started to take its toll on the game and the more it looked like it was going to be one goal that decided it, the game got a bit scrappier,” said a relieved Gareth Southgate after the game.

“They pushed us all the way and it was a scrappy, quite fortuitous goal that got it for us.

“But I felt it was our character and guts that saw us through.”

Unfortunately it would be the lack of character and guts that cost Boro at the quarter-final stage as the Wembley doors were slammed in their face.

Man dies in hospital after HGV runs into ditch on Seal Sands Road near Billingham

A 52-year-old man believed to have taken ill at the wheel before crashing into a ditch has died in hospital.

The HGV driver, from the Gloucestershire area, was taken to hospital following the incident between 1pm-2pm on the A1185 Seal Sands Road, near Billingham, yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “A 52-year-old HGV driver from the Gloucestershire area has sadly died following an incident yesterday.

“It is believed that the male driver suffered a medical episode at the wheel. He was taken to hospital and sadly passed away overnight.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on 101, quoting reference number 32274.

Transporter Bridge: Electric fault sparks fresh delays in reopening of iconic structure

And the wait goes on for the much-anticipated reopening of the iconic Transporter Bridge...

After numerous setbacks Middlesbrough Council had anticipated finally putting the newly renovated landmark back into operation this month.

But those hopes have been dashed by an electrical fault, leading to “a further unforeseen delay”, said the authority.

As reported, the historic bridge has undergone £2.6m Heritage Lottery Fund upgrade works and repainting of the structure.

The delay is the latest setback in what was originally planned as an eight-month closure to overhaul and upgrade the bridge, install a new glass viewing lift and visitor centre, further establishing it as a major tourist attraction.

But during the initial closure period additional preparation work was identified, resulting in significant extension to the closure.

The bridge - which celebrated its 100th birthday in October 2011 - has been closed since August 2013 and the Gazette reported previously how the costs for the project had spiralled from a planned £3.1m to £4m.

The council says the shortfall of £897,580 is proposed to be covered from the unallocated Local Transport Plan grant.

VIEW GALLERY

Work stalled again over the Christmas period after subcontractor SBV Fabrications went into administration. Commenting on the latest setback a spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: “The renovation of the Transporter Bridge has suffered a number of delays during the works programme which have been frustrating for all those involved.

“During the process of testing the gondola in preparation for re-opening, an electrical supply fault has occurred which is being repaired but has led to a further unforeseen delay.

“We would like to apologise to Transporter Bridge users who we know are keen to see it back in action and thank them for their patience and understanding during this process.”

The council was unable to give a new date when Teessiders might expect to finally see their much-loved bridge in operation.

Teen cautioned by police after getting into elderly woman's car and assaulting her

A teenager has been cautioned for an assault on an elderly woman.

The 19-year-old man was arrested in December in connection with an incident in which a man got into an elderly woman’s car.

Police said at the time it was alleged that an indecent assault took place on her.

But the Cleveland force has now confirmed the teenager has since been cautioned for assault.

The woman - who is in her 90s - had been in her vehicle outside the Salvation Army shop on Westgate in Guisborough.

Police initially released an appeal for help in finding the unidentified man, who they say had got into her car asking for a lift at around 9.20am on Sunday, December 7.

They drove down the street but the woman parked up around 300 yards further down Westgate outside Curtain Boutique.

It was at this point that the man allegedly indecently assaulted the pensioner.

Police had urged the man to come forward and following the appeal, the force later confirmed that a 19-year-old man had been arrested.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman has since confirmed he has been cautioned.

“A 19-year-old man was cautioned in relation to an offence of assault,” she said.

Defender Damia Abella on course for Boro return before Easter

Boro defender Damia Abella could return to the first team squad before Easter.

The 32-year-old Spanish defender suffered a cruciate knee injury at Cardiff in September and underwent surgery to repair the problem.

Aitor Karanka says his compatriot is on course to be declared fit either later next month or in early April.

“I hope he will play again this season,” said the Boro boss. “I think he is maybe one month away and that would be good for everybody, especially him.”

Damia Abella is stretchered off at Cardiff

Karanka, meanwhile, has confirmed that Jelle Vossen won’t play at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow as a result of the concussion he suffered in the Leeds game last weekend but he could be passed fit to play on Tuesday against Millwall.

Mustapha Carayol won’t start against the Owls but is likely to be on the bench.

Karanka said: “I don’t think he’s ready to start. I have to wait for the game that I can give him 10, 15 or 20 minutes to play. He is doing well in training but it is different when you have not played for 11 months.”

Dani Ayala has not yet recovered from a thigh strain.

HGV runs into ditch near Billingham after driver believed to have taken ill at wheel

A lorry ran into a ditch after the driver is believed to have taken ill at the wheel.

The driver was taken to hospital following the accident and police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

The accident happened yesterday between 1pm and 2pm on the A1185 Seal Sands Road, near Billingham.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “A white HGV with a trailer left the road and ran into the ditch after it is believed the driver suffered a medical episode.”

The male driver was taken to Stockton’s University Hospital of North Tees.

He was later transferred to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital. His injuries are not known.

Officers are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them on the non-emergency 101 number.